Pence homers, has three hits in Astros' win

Hunter Pence homered for the first time this spring and had three hits before leaving in the fifth inning with a cut that required stitches, and the Houston Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-6 Wednesday.

Pence got four stitches to close a cut on his left shin. He expects to play Thursday.

Pence is hitting .385 and is third on the team with eight RBIs. Against left-hander Brian Burres, he hit a run-scoring double in the first inning and a solo homer in the third.

Astros shortstop Angel Sanchez went 1 for 2 with a walk and scored two runs in his first game since March 15. He was out with lower back pain.